Champion Support for Project Taunton
The recent launch of Project Taunton - the pioneering regeneration of Taunton's town centre - was a great success. The ‘Future Perfect' event attracted more than 100 people, including councillors and local business people, many of whom signed up to be ‘Champions' of Taunton's regeneration.
Starting at the inspirational Genesis Centre at Somerset College of Art and Technology, Ian Franklin, Project Director of Project Taunton, welcomed a packed house to the event. He was followed by Cllr Jefferson Horsley who outlined the benefits of the regeneration for the town and then Ian Moore, Project Director of Genesis, spoke about how Project Taunton is leading the way in sustainable development, regionally and nationally.
Also at the Genesis centre were winners of this year's Young Environmentalists competition. Pupils from Northtown Junior School and Castle School displayed their ideas for Taunton's future and discussed them with delegates.
The second half of the event took place across the road at the Conference Centre and here Ian Franklin detailed in full the plans for Taunton and its ambitions to be the first ‘zero carbon' town in the UK. He said: "We're not giving lip service to the idea of sustainability - we're going to do it."
TV celebrity and renowned architectural designer, Charlie Luxton, then spoke about the importance of aiming for a zero carbon development and the challenges this will present. In support of Project Taunton, he said: "The time is right for a development like this and it strikes me that this is the right place to do it. The South West has a great tradition of sustainability."
As delegates left the event, those that supported Project Taunton were asked to sign up as ‘Champions'. They will be kept informed of all the latest developments, help spread the word and also have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the regeneration sites. To date 46 people have joined the programme.
If you would like to become a Taunton Champion or find out more about Project Taunton, call 01823 250 809, visit www.projecttaunton.co.uk or email info@projecttaunton.co.uk.
